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Thursday, November 22, 2018

Now the participants of Choice were given a few topics on which we were to stage a play and this was the topic given to my group. One can only imagine the teasing which took place when our peers realized that this was the topic given. I mean how does one stage a play on sex ? It took me awhile to think of a story-line, a few days of musing before I finally decided that I would write a story on relationships of which Sex would be its main theme.

I wrote a story on the heartache, grief, and triumphs of one girl who overcame an abusive relationship of which her boyfriend had attempted to coerce her into having sex with him and when she refused, he began to cheat on her. Now why did I write the story this way instead of perhaps touching on other issues such as prostitution etc ? Its because through my own experience and that of others I have come to see that so many of us have experienced deep sorrow and anguish in the relationships we have been in. Many then who watched this play of ours might be able to relate to the characters in the play for more likely than not would they have found themselves in a similar position before.

Mary our mother is always there for us!

As I developed the characters, they became real to me. The girl in my story, I needed to ensure that she would convey a very important message to my audience, the message being while we love our partners with our whole hearts, once there is some form of abuse or cheating, its okay to walk away, its okay to put ourselves first, and most importantly it is okay to say no. Be it man or woman, whoever exercises their right to say no to sex, no one can or should attempt/ force them to change their mind. Sex should be between two consenting adults who trust each other, where such intimacy is used as an expression of love. We need to all understand however that before we can love others we need to love ourselves first and sometimes that would mean walking away from the ones we love.

I strongly believe that God has a plan for us all. Our failed relationships teaches us important lessons on life and how we wish to be treated. I for one can say that I’ve emerged a stronger and wiser woman. I’ve grown and overcome many trials that have come my way and looking back I see now what I could not see then, that is, no one will have it easy in this journey called life. How we deal with our problems will determine how successful we eventually are. Hence, to sum it up, my play was a story of a young girl and how she overcame the crosses in her life.

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To my readers, spare me a few more moments of your time as I touch ever so briefly on 3 other plays that took place on that memorable day. The other groups were given topics on belonging, masks we wear in our daily lives as well as reconciliation with our past mistakes. Boy must I say all performed splendidly. I watched my close friends pretend to be thugs, police officers, waiters, each and every one of them told a story so befitting to the topics given to them. The way the plays were staged left me in stitches, to say I was howling in laughter would be an understatement. Truly engaging and entertaining were they.

I noticed as well that each of us staged a play on relationships, be it relationships with our peers, our families or our significant others. That made me realize that so many of us face the same struggle, the struggle being how do we mend the brokenness in our lives and relationships? Well that is the real question is it not? And while I do not have a definite answer to such an important question as yet, what I can say I learnt from friends and facilitators at Choice is that we’re all a work in progress. We try and fail and try again to mend our relationships and what counts is that we keep trying. At the end of the day its okay to not be okay for in this chaos that is life we have been lucky to have found a group of like-minded people to support us in our struggles and celebrate with us during our triumphs. I thank the Choice team for encouraging us to stage these plays for it has brought us all just that much closer.

Sunday, November 11, 2018

There are many times in our lives, where we tend to lose our way..or be directed to a different path. Often we sometimes tend to lose ourselves..our way on how we truly are as an individual

That was how my life was ....ever since I lost myself.

I was dealing with a different person within myself and no matter how I tried, I could never find my true self ..that funny bubbly girl that I am.

For a couple of years I begin to find ways to gain my courage and begin looking for myself. My mum found this article on Choice and advise me to go.Thus packed was I and off on my way ..

As the days pass, I begin to slowly discover my true self and sooner the same me begin to arise from the depths of the ocean. I started to feel the same person I was.

After Choice weekend, I begin to feel the changes immerging inside of me..I was becoming the same bubbly girl and slowly tearing the mask I was wearing . It was a change that I had long for a long time

Now, even though there are still some time in which reflection and comforting feeling passes my mind..but through it all, I am happy that finally the really me has a chance to shine again and not be close by grief and sorrow that I had once battle. I am heal and ready to embarked on future adventure with my newly met friends and the people I love.

Lastly, I wish for all those out there , if you are facing a time in which life seem bleak and that you feel the world is on your shoulder, always remember , there is a friend nearby who is always standing by listening and when you call, Jesus will always be there , watching and guiding you.

Wednesday, October 24, 2018

God works in many mysterious ways, in His own perfect time. He has brought us together as a family for a reason and now it is time to journey with one another. The relationships we now have are not a one off thing, following which we disappear but it is meant to be a someone we can belong to as we go through the ups and downs of life together.

Welcome to the family CEKL102!!!

If Choice was the reset button for you, it was only the beginning and not the end of this journey. There are always two questions that comes to mind when forming a bond with your CEKL batchmates. Are you willing to get to know a person? Are you willing to share your life with others? Don't let the sharing stop with Choice but continue to grow with one another. Sometimes it is only a matter of picking up the phone to call.

And friends... you know what!!!! The youngest from this family of four brothers has finally graduated! They are a legendary family from which comes the likes of SILENT and NOISE.

Finally, we end with the following testimonials from our CEKL102 Choicees: (Thanks Charlotte for compiling them!! 😉)

At first I couldn't be asked to go, and then my mom had a serious op that week and lagi i didn't wanna go, but when she came out from ICU she made me go in the end!!! . I came with a very heavy & distracted heart... At first on friday night, it was still hard for me to open up & share but, it got better along the way.. Many emotions came upon me in that 3 days, never thought I would feel moved with waterfalls gushing down my cheeks. To sum the 3 days I had there, I just felt light, in that short while I actually felt happy 😊 But the best thing among all were the people.. I went there and met strangers, strangers who became friends, and friends that became family ❤ - Ralphie

Coming with an open mind and heart gave me the chance to experience and take away what I needed most from this CHOICE weekend. Feeling part of a bigger family! - Gary

It was a life changing weekend, a weekend that brought many hearts together and created a sense of belonging..rest is a secret that has to be experienced physically and not through reading these words - Debby

An eye opening experience that made me think what I’ve missed in life and moving forward what I should b doing with my life! Thank you CHOICE 102 - Emiliene

Personally I loved it.. I get to connect with new catholic friends as I never had catholic friends after confirmation.. makes me go church more as I have some friends to go with now - Dezmond

Attending Choice 102 is the most life changing experience I've ever had! I am now closer to God in prayers and church thanks to all the take home messages I have learned from the programme. I want to be a better person now and I am so thankful to Choice. - Anita

Earlier I had a big question in my mind whether joining choice program is necessary as my schedule was packed. After joining choice my life began to bloom again. I made the right choice and there is no regrets for it. If you have the choice join choice program to create miracles in your life. Cheers - Catterine
After Choice weekend, there has been a lot of reflecting and questioning. It was a weekend where I found myself exactly where I was when I first confronted my issues 7 years ago. This struggle was so real! I was not contented by the state of my current life. However, God had redeemed me and I accepted this invitation to search within myself again. I managed to received this huge grace of healing by attending this weekend! I was finally prepared to be still and to enjoy being in the company of Jesus. - Jacinta
I have always had the impression that CHOICE was where you go and find a partner. But was I wrong. Coming to choice was the best decision I’ve made thus far this year. The experience and the people I’ve met only for 3 days I now call family. It has brought me close to God and I would like to thank the team for making this a great and wonderful experience. To know CHOICE you have to experience it yourself. - Brandan

Before we say goodbye, we will like to thank all Choicees and everybody who had contributed in whatever way towards making this weekend happened. Thank you also for all your prayers. Nothing can be done without God's help.

To relive our memories of CEKL102, here is the video during our free time... macam around a campfire 🔥🔥

Tuesday, September 11, 2018

This particular bible verse caught my eye today and I thought of sharing:

"So I tell you, every sin and blasphemy can be forgiven--except blasphemy against the Holy Spirit, which will never be forgiven."Matthew 12:31, Mark 3:28-29, Luke 12:10
So what is actually blasphemy against the Holy Spirit? In Catholic teaching there are six sins that blaspheme against the Holy Spirit. They are:

Despair (believing that one's evil is beyond God's forgiveness);

Presumption (glory without merit, that is, hope of salvation without keeping the Commandments, or expectation of pardon for sin without repentance)

Envying the goodness of another (sadness or repining at another's growth in virtue and perfection);

Obstinacy in sin (willful persisting in wickedness, and running on from sin to sin, after sufficient instructions and admonition);

Final impenitence (to die without either confession or contrition for our sins);

Impugning the known truth (to argue against known points of faith, and this includes misrepresenting parts or all of the Christian faith to make it seem undesirable)

Going through the list, it sounds like those sins a person does not have any insight they are committing.

Greetings to all Choicees. I just wanted to share a story I have recently heard...

A protestant pastor was talking to a catholic priest one day and he was very curious about the Eucharist. The pastor who was a very devout man of God asked the Catholic priest if he really believed the teachings of the catholic church that the Host was the real body and blood of Christ and not just a symbol. The priest was puzzled at this question and inquired further...

The pastor then said that, if he were the one who believed in the real presence, by now he would be crawling up the aisle to receive GOD.

I feel that sometimes the way we conduct ourselves in mass, like being indifferent, distracted and failing to show our reverence, it is as if we don't truly believe that God is really present in the Eucharist. I am equally guilty of denying God like Peter did 3 times before the rooster crowed. Everything becomes just like a lip service.

We need to prepare ourselves thoroughly, body, mind and spirit before receiving Him or meeting Him in the Blessed Sacrament. We must acknowledge and confess our own sins and wash our linen clean before inviting Him in. That is why non-Catholics or Catholics alike who do not believe in God or his presence in the Eucharist cannot receive Holy Communion.

In a recent homily, the priest also explained why in a row of Catholics going up to receive Holy Communion, the level of graces for each of them is not the same. Some get lesser or more than the others. It depends on the condition of your heart at the time. The secret is to adopt the DHL graces delivery service: D - Detachment, H - Humility, L - Love.

I think like in the parable of the sower, my current condition is like seeds falling among the thorns, getting choked and are struggling to mature. Kudos to those who already have good soil. But for those who are like me, let us strive for DHL and spend more time with God.

Monday, July 23, 2018

Last weekend was our first recruitment & fruitful Fund raising event for 102 in Assumption PJ.
Many choicees came to support in the sale. its not the amount we made at the end but most importantly everyone came sacrificing their Saturday & Sunday to bond as one. Thanks to our Sponsors who willingly donated items & Cash for the events also to our Parishioners who came to support us..Also not forgetting our parents, they know we made the right choice to come over the weekend to help out with the recruitment & fundraising event.Stay tune and find out more on which parish we will be.Have you made the choice? Hurry now and click on the register link if you have not done yet.

CHOICE Kuala Lumpur - Alumni site

CHOICE is a self-enrichment young single adults program under the Archdiocesan Single Adults and Youth Office (ASAYO). Our weekend experience provide the opportunity to participants to meet like-minded people.

"It's about belonging, making choices & looking into every aspect of our relationship with the significant people in our lives"

"It's about preceiving the world through the eyes of your heart and receiving the person reflected on the mirror"